After the Washington agreements, the Armenian side was able to convince Iran that all Iranian “red lines” are maintained. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an interview with IRNA, adding that at the moment the scale of the matter is not completely clear, but the Armenian side has persistently tried to give comprehensive answers.

Araghchi noted that the Armenian prime minister called the Iranian president, there were telephone conversations with the Armenian foreign minister, and Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan personally traveled to Tehran.

“What happened and what should have happened, which is called ‘geopolitical changes in the region,’ are completely different things. I am not saying that what is happening now is not worrying because there are concerns that I will still address,” Araghchi said.

The Iranian FM noted that initially there was talk of the occupation of Armenia’s Syunik Province, then the option of a corridor under the sovereignty of Azerbaijan was discussed. And now, in his opinion, all these concepts have turned into a road that will be built by an American company, which is registered in Armenia and is under the laws and jurisdiction of Armenia.

“This road is under the sovereignty of Armenia. No American troops will be deployed near us, and all of Iran’s ‘red lines’ are respected,” the Iranian diplomat noted.

Araghchi emphasized that it’s just about a private American engineering company, and it is not a security or military organization. He is convinced that there will be no American forces on this “Trump Route,” and security will be provided by Armenia itself.

According to the Iranian FM, it is wrong to say that Iran has become a NATO neighbor, or is surrounded by the US.

“We need to be realistic, see what is happening, and express our concerns realistically, based on facts,” the Iranian diplomat noted.

He added that Iran’s position remains unchanged: Tehran welcomes peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but any foreign presence, in any format, can have negative consequences for peace and stability in the region. Araghchi assured that he had already conveyed this position to Yerevan.

At the same time, he noted that Russia has the same position, but somewhat softer.

“From the beginning, our [i.e. Iran] position was that regardless of what steps are taken in the Caucasus, the borders of the region should not be changed. It is important to us that the sovereignty of Armenia and any other country is not undermined,” the Iranian FM concluded.